Yes, #fitspo has overtaken social media. Short for “fitspiration”, these images are supposed to motivate us to put our healthiest foot forward.

With the rise of social media has come a growing addiction with #fitspoSource:Supplied

But, is that what it does or are the effects more sinister? And should we even listen to these seemingly healthier-than-thou fitspo-famed people – many of whom are paid big bucks?

MOTIVATION TO MOVE

“ANYTHING that’s encouraging people to get up and get moving is a good thing,” says Holly Brasher, titled sports physiotherapist and national chairperson for the Australian Sports Therapy Association.

“One of the most important roles for a physiotherapist is to help put an end to the sedentary lifestyle epidemic we’re experiencing by increasing people’s activity and exercise levels. Fitspo is helping us do that.”

The same is true when it comes to food.

“The wonderful thing about it is that it usually promotes the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables,” nutritionist Dr Rebecca Reynolds says.

Radio host and television presenter Jules Lund is the founder of Tribe, an app that connects social media influencers with brands that are willing to fork out bags of cash to have their products promoted in the influencers’ posts. Lund believes the real beauty of the phenomenon is that it empowers social media users to be the best they can be.

It’s not just the sculpted torsos in activewear that create controversy. Credit: iStockSource:Getty Images

“You can literally be inspired at any time of day,” he says.

“It might be a sunrise, an amazingly healthy breakfast, people playing competitive sport or a gym selfie. That constant reminder to keep health, fitness and wellbeing top of mind encourages us all to be our best.”

“FAMOUS” ISN’T “QUALIFIED”

FITSPO might be an online realm dominated by fitness and nutrition but those filling our feeds aren’t always fitness professionals or nutrition experts, which is what worries Brasher the most.

“My biggest concern is around injury risk,” she says.

“We’ve seen a big increase on social media of celebrities and your average Joe Blow giving health, fitness and even medical advice that they have no qualifications to provide and that simply isn’t true.”

If Brasher could add a disclaimer to every exercise-driven post, it would be this: Start easy, increase slowly and remember that every body is different.

“Fitspo is great for motivation but definitely not for mimicry,” she says.

“If you’re starting a new style of exercise and want to avoid injury, don’t just jump straight into trying to do what you’ve seen someone on Instagram doing. Always get advice from a professional.”

Reynolds agrees: “As far as nutrition goes, there’s a lot of misinformation out there, primarily because the information is coming from people who aren’t adequately qualified. Even personal trainers aren’t qualified to give nutrition advice.”

She also recommends avoiding, or at least being wary of, anyone who encourages cutting out whole food groups.

The advice Lund gives to the Tribe gang – and anyone else who spreads fitspo – is this: “If you’re a qualified expert, be clear. If you’re not a qualified expert, be clear.”

(UN)REALITY CHECK

CLINICAL psychologist and author Louise Adams warns that the potential for fitspo to harm, particularly young men and women, is very real.

“The scientific research is showing that fitspo is having a negative psychological impact on people’s body image,” Adams explains.

“The evidence shows it worsens body dissatisfaction, increases feelings of inferiority and can lead to disordered eating.”

According to Eating Disorders Victoria, nearly one million Australians have some kind of eating disorder and Adams believes fitspo is only pushing that number higher.

It’s not just the sculpted torsos in activewear that she takes issue with either. Purportedly motivating mantras, including “Sore is the new sexy”, “Sweat is fat crying” and “Strong is the new skinny”, can also do damage, she says.

All that sweat is enough to make you make to sit ... and sit.Source:Getty Images

“It isn’t healthy because it’s telling us that we need to be different to how we are and it’s encouraging us to compare our bodies,” Adams explains.

“Health isn’t something you can see; it’s not something that you can put in a bikini or count on a six-pack.”

Lund agrees that anything to do with health and fitness, whether on social media or not, needs to be approached responsibly, but doesn’t think social media influencers should be held accountable for the way their posts make others feel.

“If following someone makes you feel bad, unfollow them,” he says.

“People are allowed to be loud and proud of having a healthy lifestyle. If that’s making you feel insecure, that’s something you need to address. That’s not their responsibility.”

THE MONEY MAKER

MADELINE Bourke, who has no health-related qualifications, has close to 100,000 people following her fitspo-filled Instagram account.

Bourke, who uses the Tribe app, can earn up to $400 each time she posts.

Tribe works with 2500 content creators, who have a collective Instagram following of 95 million, and more than 230 brands.

The app’s rate card recommends creators with 5-25,000 followers charge between $75 and $300 per post. If a creator has more than half a million followers, a post can see them earn $1200 or more. Tribe earns a 20 per cent commission on every exchange.

This rise of Instagram as a money-making enterprise, Adams claims, only muddies the water more.

“If I publish research as a psychologist, I have to declare a conflict of interest. Social media isn’t regulated in the same way so people don’t need to disclose if they’re being paid to post.”

“She’s a dietitian who has made more than $30,000 through Tribe in six months,” he says.

“Is it a business? Yes, but for so many years, people like Rebecca were doing what they’re doing now for free. The argument that they don’t deserve to be remunerated is selfish on the part of the critic.”

PROFILES

ANDREW PAPADOPOULOS

@andrew_pap_

Followers: 81k

Qualifications: Certificate III and IV

in Fitness and Group Training.

Purpose: To help people navigate the garbage this modern world throws at us